152 



PRACTICAL POULTRY PRODVCTIOX 



for the birds. In the winter such an opening should be 

 sealed tight to prevent drafts. There is, however, less 

 chance of a bird's catching cold in a cold, dry house than in 

 a warm, damp one. Proper ventilation will prevent the 

 accumulation of dampness. 



YARDS AND FENCES 

 Yards. In most instances yards are of course unneces- 

 sary when the colony houses system is used. Yards are 

 never advisable except when it is absolutely necessary to 



keep the birds confined to 

 a limited area. When it 

 is necessary to so confine 

 the birds, double yards 

 should be provided, one 

 in the frorjt and one in 

 the rear of the house. 

 With this arrangement the 

 birds may be alternated 

 from one to the other. 

 With such a system and 

 with proper management 

 a green crop can always 

 be available for the fowls throughout most of the year, 

 by growing such a crop in one yard while the fowls ha^e 

 access to the other yard. (See page 203.) When yards 

 can be constructed on only one side of the house, they 

 should be on the south side. If it is desired to keep the 

 yard in permanent sod, at least 100 square feet of yard 

 space should be allowed for each fowl. When green feed 

 such as sprouted oats, mangel beets, etc., are supplied and 

 the yards used principally for exercise, provide at least 

 35 square feet for each fowl. 



Fences. Two-inch wire mesh is probably the cheapest 

 and one of the most suitable materials for fencing fowls. 



Figure 153. — A water pan placed on an ele- 

 vated platform to prevent the litter from 

 getting into the water. 



